IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section B

Abstract

This research investigates the regeneration of urban spaces through the integration of music and cultural actions, focusing on open-air public environments. It emerges from the recognition that traditional music venues —such as concert halls or opera houses— are increasingly disconnected from contemporary listening practices and urban life. These enclosed and often exclusive architectures are giving way to more open, inclusive, and socially active public spaces. The study explores how music, due to its universal and immediate nature, can serve as a catalyst for urban revitalization and social cohesion. It emphasizes that spatial design alone is not enough: cultural programming and organizational management are essential for reactivating these spaces. As a response, the research introduces the concept of parasitic architecture: light, adaptable interventions that attach to existing urban structures and activate them through music and cultural programming. These interventions enable a flexible and sustainable way of transforming underused urban areas into active cultural nodes. Ultimately, the project proposes music not only as an artistic expression but as an architectural and urban strategy capable of redefining public space and strengthening the relationship between citizens and their environment.